Category Archives: Las Vegas Legal News

Car accidents in Reno, and those who want to avoid the bill for an accident in which they were at fault, have a new enemy, The Reno Police Department, thanks to a significant grant and the machinery it funded. The Nevada Office of Traffic Safety awarded the Reno Police Department $65,000 to help fund the purchase of a three dimensional imaging system that is used to help investigate car accidents and reconstruct the scene, and therefore, negligence and culpability. The Major Accident Investigation Team of the Reno Police Department will be the keepers of the system, which is used to take the place of time consuming and potentially faulty measurements and diagrams that are typically made by hand. This human made measurement and documentation system – let’s call it the “old school” way – has, or had, in the case of Reno, all kinds of drawbacks. For starters, it was terribly time consuming. If an accident had closed all or part of a roadway, that meant an even longer period of traffic and headache due to the investigation. By that same token, that manual old school method took man hours that could have otherwise been spent of other more pressing police work, like patrolling areas to cut down on crime, or time spent investigating other and possibly more serious crimes. Then there’s the high-tech aspect of it, that creates three dimensional imaging, high precision measurements, and other fancy shmancy calculations which can make accident investigation more accurate and useful for police and regular citizens alike.

Benson & Bingham Attorneys at Law cover Las Vegas and Reno vehicle accidents, and we know all about this equipment, and any other accident investigation tool you can think it. Did the above sound like a promo for the technology? Well, perhaps it was a little tongue in cheek. Technology is only as good as the human operating it. That being said, the equipment, from FARO Technologies, is at least a Nevada company so we’re proud of our state for producing high tech options for accident investigation. However, nothing is flawless, regardless of human error. A good Nevada vehicle accident attorney knows when technology is the right way to bolster your claim, and when it’s not. If you’ve been injured in a Reno or Las Vegas car crash, Benson & Bingham’s attorneys should be your choice for legal counsel. Contact us today for a free consultation to see us in action – we’re confident you’ll make the best decision for you and your situation.

A significant Reno snowfall has resulted in at least 14 automobile accidents that resulted in injury and property damage. The majority of accidents happened at the interchange of the 395 and 80 highways, commonly known to locals as the Spaghetti Bowl, due to the long curved nature of the highways’ four off ramps. Interstate 80 heading both West and East were the location of many of the accidents. One of the larger Reno automobile accidents happened at approximately 7:40 a.m. on lanes headed West near the exit to Reno’s Wells Ave. Another Washoe County car crash was reported minutes later, at 8:00 a.m.That accident happened near Sparks’ Nugget Casino.

Additional Sparks vehicle collisions happened on surface streets. Police were investigating accidents at late as 10:00 a.m. on Monday, December 28th. Those accidents that were being investigated until late hours included one at Greg St. and Marietta Wy and Los Altos Pkwy and Vista Blvd. No injuries had been reported in the early morning accidents in Reno and Sparks even though many highly trafficked roads like Spaks Blvd and Vista Blvd, all in the immediate vicinity of Prater Way were reported to have road conditions resembling a skating rink. Polce had not included in their tally minor fender benders or when motorists had slid off the road onto embankments. Forecasters have announced that snow is expected to clear by tomorrow.

While snow is not forecast to hit again until Tuesday or Wednesday next week, drivers are urged to take precautions to ensure they stay safe in the snow. If you have a car with rear wheel drive or is prone to slipping, it is always wise to have something heavy in the cars back area like a bag of sand or concrete. If that is not possible, a full tank of gas will also add weight to the vehicle.Chains are important to have on hand in case roads become too slippery to travel on with regular tires. Another good tool to have in the car is sheets of cardboard, with the cardboard, a stranded motorist can slip it under tires to gain additional traction when at a complete stop and wheels are spinning. Another precaution to take is to have a blanket, gloves, hats and an extra coat in the car in case you need to spend a prolonged time in your vehicle waiting for help.

Northern Nevada has been in a significant drought for the past few years. Over that time, Northern Nevada drivers were not experiencing the winter weather driving that they had practiced for years. Now that the weather has been back to traditional patterns there have been weekly snow falls and local drivers are having more Reno automobile accidents. Nevadans are having to adjust schedules for travels to work and even when picking up friends and family at the airport. Road crews in Northern Nevada are working extra hours to ensure that roads are safe and clear. The crews are also laying down gravel to improve traction and ice to increase melting of snow and ice that is on roads. The fortunate for Northern Nevada drivers is that snow accumulation tends to melt quickly and not spend more than a couple days on the roads.

Many roads in and out of Reno can be extremely treacherous when the weather is bad. Often when snow hits the Sierra Mountains the Nevada and California Highway authorities often require motorists to use chains or snow tires to increase traction and reduce the number of Washoe County car crashes. Other highways that can be dangerous when there is snowfall are the Mount Rose Hwy and the former 395 highway between Reno and Carson City. When snowfall hits the region, the people who run plows, sand and salt trucks can run for 12 even 18 hours. At times in the most elevated areas of the Sierras can see 12” to 18” in the snow over a 12 to 24 hour period.

Reno attempts to provide safe access to its roads in a manner that is safe for the environment. Reno has over 2,200 miles of roads which must be plowed. There are 19 routes that trucks follow for ice and snow removal. When the city of Reno puts gravel on the road it is typically mixed with salt. For applying salt to the road, the city uses a salt and water mixture that some refer to as brine. Since bridges tend to ice over the city of Reno tends to focus on providing adequate salt and snow removal on them.

If there has been a Northern Nevada vehicle collision that damaged your automobile or other property or hurt you or killed a member of your family, the Nevada licensed personal injury attorneys at Benson and Bingham can help you recover money for automobile repairs, hospital bills, lost work and more.

As the pedestrian death toll rises across Nevada, politicians citizens, pedestrians and NDOT employees are looking for ways to increase pedestrian safety across the state. Northern Nevadans are asking the state and local politicians and transit officials to improve the pedestrian infrastructure around a very busy intersection. To reduce the number of Reno automobile accidents involving pedestrians, people are requesting that the intersection of Talus Wy and North Virginia St. UNR Reno is in the immediate vicinity of this busy pedestrian intersection. The Department of Transportation has plans to improve the intersection in 2016 in their effort to reduce Washoe County car crashes that involve people who walk across the street.

NDOT, the Silver State’s transportation agency, plans to change the location of the intersection’s crosswalks. The crosswalks will now be closer to the bus stop that is also in the area. The transportation agency is also installing additional signals to alert drivers when someone is crossing North Virginia Ave. The agency will also improve streetlights in the area, which will enable those behind the wheel to see people walking on the street whether they are wearing bright or dark clothing. Finally, the agency is installing a median in the center of the road, thus enabling pedestrians crossing the street to take a break and not have to cross all four lanes of N. Virginia. The state agency has a budget of $10 million to improve roads and crosswalks in both Clark and Washoe Counties. These funds are from the state budget. The improvements to the intersection will be completed next fall and will start in summer 2016. The transportation department has a number of projects that are being worked on to reduce Northern Nevada vehicle collisions. On Interstate 580. the agency will pay a Reno construction company $12.1 million to improve the highway’s infrastructure including replacing old concrete, resurfacing the highway and improve the ability for the highway’s bridges to withstand an earthquake. The agency is also funding an extension of the freeway in Carson City. In Incline Village, the state agency is improving pedestrian access. Crosswalks on State Route 28 are getting new signs to alert motorists of people crossing the street. New streetlights are being installed and ramps are being added to sidewalks. The project is also adding dedicated lanes to turn left on State Route 28 and is also adding left turn signals to the stoplights to make turns easier for those driving.

In Reno, Stead Blvd is the locale of many accidents, there is also a school on Stead Blvd. in Reno. The road’s four lanes, heavy traffic, high amount of North Valley automobile accidents has parents concerned for the safety of the children walking to school. Stead Blvd. has a large number of commercial vehicles that travel on. While the school zone should slow drivers down, many drivers on busy Stead Blvd. do not slow down. The high amount of traffic could cause a Reno car crash where a student headed to the school is seriously injured or even worse. Local parents believe Stead Blvd. should have more crosswalks to make it easier for children on their way to school to cross the street.

While there have been two deadly Washoe County vehicle collisions on the road in 2015. In 2015, there have also been 29 vehicle accidents on Stead. Half of those accidents occurred at the intersection of Stead Blvd. and Silver Lake Rd., which is the intersection where the school is located. One person has died in an accident at the intersection. about 66% of the accidents happened while school is in session. Weather was not a factor in the accidents as there was no noted rain or snow on the days of the crashes. Many drivers were ticketed for driving infractions after the crashes and most of those tickets were for tailgating or not yielding to other drivers. No children were hurt in any of the accidents in the past year, however.

The Washoe County school district works closely with regional transportation bodies to ensure the roads around Washoe schools are safe for children. The school district also receives input from parents and works with local authorities to improve roads around schools when needed. In front of elementary school there is a pedestrian crosswalk that has crossing lights that are lit when activated by touch.

Benson and Bingham is a Las Vegas personal injury firm that is family owned. Our firm was founded by cousins Benjamin Bingham and Joseph Benson. We also offer services in Northern Nevada. If you would like to set up a free legal consultation with one of our attorneys, please go to NV-Attorney.com or call us at 702-382-9797. We can help your finances recover from an accident that wasn’t your fault and be reimbursed for lost work, pain and suffering, hospital bills and more.

For teens, one of the most anticipated rites of passage is getting a driver’s license. Many teens and parents alike are often shocked by the high price of insuring those teens to drive family vehicles. By emphasizing road safety, thus limiting Reno automobile accidents caused by teens, new drivers and their parents can bring down the price of the insurance and save lives! Teenage drivers cause a significant amount of Washoe County car crashes and accidents are the leading killer of teenagers. Across the nation, in 2013, teenage drivers were involved in over 2600 deadly automobile accidents. In the Silver State, over four years, teenagers were responsible for sending over 2200 people to the emergency room.

Cell phone use while driving is suspected of being one of the leading factors in teenage vehicle collisions in Northern Nevada. Since texting and using a mobile while behind the wheel is more common with teenagers than with other drivers, the penalties for using a cell phone while behind the wheel are significant. If your teen is given a citation for texting while driving, his or her insurance premium can rise significantly – since the Silver State enables insurance company to base premiums on citations for mobile use.

By being cautious and working to not be involved in an accident, teens can bring down their insurance premiums. If a student is getting good grades in school, often automobile insurance companies will give the family a discount on the teen’s premium. A teen with good grades has shown the capacity to concentrate while in class and insurance companies believe that capacity will translate to the ability to concentrate behind the wheel. Another way to reduce the insurance premium associated with your teen is to have them take a safe driving course. The certification for this course can result in a discounted insurance premium. Using a mobile phone while behind the wheel of your car is illegal and has been since January 1, 2012. For the first offense of using a cell phone while driving, expect to pay a fine of $50. The 2nd offense is $250 (and all subsequent citations for using a cell phone while driving). If you are in a construction zone while you are using your cell phone, your fine will be doubled. First offenses for cell phone use while driving are not marked as moving violations, however, all additional offenses are considered moving violations and those tickets will cause four points on your license.

Sparks police are searching for a car and driver that were involved in a Washoe County automobile accident. The accident happened just on the border of Reno and Sparks. The Sparks car crash killed a man and has been ruled authorities are ruling the accident a hit and run. Police found the man at the intersection of Kietzke Ln and Victorian Ave. The man who died in the accident, a Sparks resident who was aged 55, was found dead on the road just after 3:00 a.m. At first, the Sparks man’s name was not released but it wasl be once the man’s family were informed of his death. Police are saying that the man’s name was Eugene Shorthorn. Mr. Shorthorn was said to be a homeless person who was living in the area of the accident. When found by police, who were responding to a report of the man being down in the road, the Spark Resident had significant injuries to his head and torso. It is being assumed that the man who died was walking in the bike lane at the time of the accident. The investigation by Sparks police will determine if drugs, alcohol or other factors will be the reasons for the man’s death. Businesses in the vicinity of the crash have been canvassed for security camera footage and while Mr. Shorthorn’s death was not caught on camera, three vehicles were in the vicinity at the time of the accident. Three cars are being sought – a semi, a passenger car with a light color paint job and a pickup truck with a light color paint job. Hit and run accidents in Northern Nevada vehicle collisions now come with the highest penalties in the United States. The new hit and run laws, passed in the last legislative session, came into effect on the first day of October. Now, when a driver leaves the scene of an accident where someone is injured they face up to 20 years in jail. The hit and run driver who causes an injury also is not eligible to be given probation for his sentence. Drivers are being informed of the new law by a new campaign from the Nevada department of transportation. The new public service announcements will implore drivers to call 911 and helping the injured person instead of fleeing. Nevada’s previous hit and run statute essentially incentivized drivers involved in an injury accident, who were intoxicated, to flee the scene, sober up and turn themselves into police. Now there is no incentive as the hit and run penalty and the penalty for injuring or killing someone while driving while intoxcated are the same.

A man died on Sunday September 20th in a Reno commercial vehicle accident when his truck rolled over and a passenger was thrown from the vehicle. The accident happened on Highway 80 near mile 41. An investigation into the crash indiciates that the Washoe County Box trailer crash occurred when the truck was going eastward on I-80. The truck was travelling in the slow lane. At some point, the truck began drifting onto the right shoulder. As the driver tried to regain control of the truck, the driver overcorrected and the truck then spun wildly in the left direction. The truck and the trailer it was towing landed on its passenger side and blocked both lanes of eastward travel. A passenger who was sleeping at the time of the accident was thrown and passed away at the accident scene. The driver of the truck was rushed to a Reno hospital for treatment of his injuries. Those injuries are not expected to threaten the life of the driver.

In addition to the damage to the truck, the trailer and the death of the passenger, guardrails on each side of the highway were also damaged. The guardrails were so damaged that after the accident they were blocking part of the road. The trailer being towed by the truck also spilled its load on the highway. There are no reports as to what the truck was carrying at the time of the crash. Cleaning up the aftermath of the accident included moving the truck back onto it’s wheels, cleaning up the cargo that had spilled on the highway and repairing the guardrails that were damaged in the accident.

NV-attorney is the Northern Nevada arm of the Las Vegas family-owned personal injury law firm, Benson and Bingham. We have an expert team of Nevada licensed lawyers that have significant experience with Northern Nevada semi truck collisions, Reno wrongful death accidents and even Washoe County casino injuries. If you are hurt through no fault of your own or had a family member pass away in an accident that was not his or her fault, contact Benson and Bingham today for a free legal consultation. We can help you or surviving family members receive money for hospital bills, lost work, pain and suffering and even car repair. Our firm even offers everyone we represent our happiness guarantee. Our happiness guarantee is exclusive and enables those we represent, if they are unhappy with their final invoice, to ask us to reformulate the bill and develop a fee structure that they approve of.

The Police Department of Reno released information on a non-guilty plea by a Reno man who killed two young children. The man accused in the accident Sheldon Berg, 55, is accused of vehicular manslaughter (two counts). Mr. Berg issued his plea on Thursday, October 1st. Mr. Berg was not held on bail and the next time he will be seen is court is still yet to be determined. Even though Mr. Berg was released on self recognizance, the 66-year old Reno resident with a history of losing his license will not be allowed to drive until his trial for the South Reno automobile accident.

In late June this year, Mr. Berg is accused of crashing into a house on Princess Ave. at Vassar St. in Reno. When he crashed into the house on a sunny Monday afternoon, two very young kids died. Mr. Berg was behind the wheel of a Subaru heading westerly on Brentwood Ave when he didn’t stop for a stop sign and crashed into the house. In the home when the crash occurred was a young mother and her son, daughter and niece. The daughter, 4, and the son, 2, were killed in the Washoe County car crash. Mr. Berg may have suffered some type of attack of a medical nature at the time of the accident. Police investigators have uncovered another crash involving Mr. Berg from early 2013 that was the result of a medical incident. The type of medical incident or attack is unknown at this time. A search of Mr. Berg’s records with the Nevada vehicle registration department uncovered that the license for Mr. Berg had been suspended since 2002 six times. None of the license suspensions were for misdemeanor or felony arrests or convictions or for Northern Nevada vehicle collisions. Mr. Berg voluntarily handed over his license three times, once in 2002, once in 2004 and once in 2007. In 2010 and again in 2011, Mr. Berg refused to comply with recommended restrictions on his license, which resulted in those two suspensions. In 2013, Mr. Berg declined to be examined by the motor vehicle department, which resulted in yet another suspension. Mr. Berg was granted a new license after each suspension legally by following processes outlined by Nevada state law and motor vehicle regulations. Mr. Berg’s current driving license was given to him in March 2015. Reno police have stated that when someone has an automobile accident because of a medical reason, for this person’s license to be reinstated, he must be medically evaluated.

A Reno man, Michael Todd, 52, has been convicted of drunk driving in Reno, Nevada, causing the death of a teenager in a Reno automobile accident. Mr. Todd received a sentence of 20-years in jail for the death of a high school student, 16. The accident happened on June 13th last year. The 16-year old, a boy, was riding his bicycle on Seneca Dr. before the Lemmon Valley car crash. The accident happened around 9:00 p.m. In addition to being intoxicated at the time of the crash, investigators determined that Mr. Todd was also speeding and lost control of his vehicle before veering into oncoming traffic and striking the 16-year old bicyclist.

At the scene of the Washoe County vehicle collision, police found a bottle of Jack Daniels that had been allegedly thrown away by Mr. Todd. Police also estimate that Mr. Todd’s blood alcohol level when the accident happened was 0.159. The teenager who was killed in the accident had just finished his sophomore year in high school.

Mr. Todd entered a guilty plea in the accident in July. He was sentenced in the Washoe County Courthouse by Judge Stiglich on August 21st. Mr. Todd will have parole eligibility after he has served 8 years of his prison sentence.

In the Silver State, drunk driving deaths amount to just over 30% of all traffic deaths. In 2012, 82 Nevadans died from accidents that included alcohol use. Of those 82 people, 9 were under 21 years of age. If you are convicted of a DUI death, you will could be subject to as short as two years in prison and a prison sentence as long as 20 years. That conviction will also cost you somewhere between $2,000 and $5,000 in fines. DUI penalties increase the more intoxicated you are. If your blood alcohol is as high as 0.15 your chances of being in an accident increase substantially. NV-attorney is one of Las Vegas’ premiere personal injury law firms. Our can represent you in all types of personal injury law, however we specialize in automobile, motorcycle and commercial vehicle accidents as well as premises injuries like slip and fall accidents and finally dog bites and other animal attacks. If you or a relative has been injured through no fault of their own, contact us today for an initial legal consultation that is free of charge. Our team will help you recover the money you spent on medical bills, property repairs, lost work, pain and suffering and more.